CE 73004 - Geotechnical Engineering Design

Design Problem No.1

Design of Shallow Foundations using EC7

Design suitable shallow foundations for columns C2r 1 and C2r 2 using the Eurocode 7 (Design
Approach 1), for the building of which the ground floor plan and the structural layout drawing is
given in Fig. 1 below. Find the time required for 90% primary consolidation to take place.
Where 𝑟 = 𝑅𝑒(𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟⁄4)

Fig. 01: Ground floor plan of the building

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 Fig. 02: Soil profile along C1, C3, C5 and C7

Fig. 03: Soil profile along C2, C4, C6 and C8

Fig. 04: Design

loads

 SPT results at borehole are given in Table 1;

Table 1
Borehole Location
Elevation/ (m)
BH1 BH2
199.00 7 8
198.25 16 16
197.50 17 18
196.75 18 20
196.00 25 25
195.25 35 37
194.50 40 40
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  Samples taken from auger holes gave the properties given in Table 2 for firm clay.

Table 2
Stress range/ (kPa) Coefficient of compressibility (mv)/ (m2/MN)
0-80 0.11
80-160 0.18
160-320 0.25
320-640 0.17
640-1200 0.16

 Results of the Vane shear tests carried out in the firm clay are given in Table 3;

Table 3
Depth/ (m) Vane shear strength/ (kPa)
0.0-1.0 45
1.0-4.0 60
> 4.0 70

Other Data
1. Coefficient of consolidation (Cv) = 1.4 x 10-8 m2/sec.
2. Saturated unit weight of sand = 18.0 kN/m3
3. Saturated unit weight of clay = 20.0 kN/m3
4. Specific gravity of sand = 2.70
5. Forming level of building = 199.0 m
6. Ground water table (GWT) is at 2 m below the ground surface
7. Footing thickness = 0.50 m
8. Allowable settlement = 50 mm
9. Acceptable angular distortion of a portal frame = 1/500 (for SLS)
10. Eu = 500Cu for firm clay.

EC7 - Design Considerations

1. ULS design
Bearing resistance
The check on the bearing resistance is;
𝑽𝒅 ≤ 𝑹 𝒅
Where Vd is the design value of vertical load or component of the action normal to the foundation
base.
Note: EC7 states that the vertical total action (Vd) should include the weight of any backfill acting
on top of the foundation in addition to the weight of the foundation itself plus the applied load it is
carrying. In addition, water pressures not caused by foundation load also should be included as
actions.

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The design bearing resistance
(a) Undrained conditions
𝑹⁄ ′ = (𝝅 + 𝟐)𝒄 𝒃 𝒔 𝒊 + 𝒒
𝑨 𝒖 𝒄 𝒄 𝒄
With the dimensionless factors for;
-the inclination of the base: 𝑏𝑐 = 1 − 2𝛼 ⁄(𝜋 + 2) ; where α is the inclination of foundation base to
the horizontal
-the shape of the foundation:
𝑠𝑐 = 1 + 0.2(𝐵 ′ ⁄𝐿′ ), for a rectangular shape 𝑠𝑐 = 1.2, for a square or circular shape
1 𝐻
-the inclination of the load, caused by a horizontal load H; 𝑖𝑐 = 2 (1 + √1 − 𝐴′ 𝑐 ) with 𝐻 ≤ 𝐴′ 𝑐𝑢
𝑢

(b) Drained conditions

The design bearing resistance may be calculated from;

𝑹⁄ ′ = 𝒄′ 𝑵 𝒔 + 𝒒′ 𝑵 𝒔 + 𝟎. 𝟓𝜸′ 𝑩′ 𝑵 𝒔
𝑨 𝒄 𝒄 𝒒 𝒒 𝜸 𝜸
With the design values of dimensionless factors for;
-the bearing resistance:
′
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑒 𝜋 tan 𝜑 tan2(45 + 𝜑 ′ ⁄2)
𝑁𝑐 = (𝑁𝑞 − 1) cot 𝜑 ′
𝜑 ′⁄
𝑁𝛾 = 2(𝑁𝑞 − 1) tan 𝜑 ′ [Applicable where 𝛿 ≥ 2 (rough base, such as a typical
foundation); where δ is friction angle between the structure and the soil &
-the shape of the foundation:
𝑠𝑐 = (𝑠𝑞 𝑁𝑞 − 1)⁄(𝑁𝑞 − 1) for rectangular, square or circular shape
𝑠𝑞 = 1 + (𝐵 ′ ⁄𝐿′ ) sin 𝜑 ′ , for a rectangular shape
𝑠𝑞 = 1 + sin 𝜑 ′ , for a square or circular shape
𝑠𝛾 = 1 − 0.3(𝐵 ′ ⁄𝐿′ ), for a rectangular shape
𝑠𝛾 = 0.7, for a square or circular shape
2. SLS check for the performance of the foundation
The depth of compressible soil layer to be considered when calculating settlement - This depth may
normally be taken as the depth at which the effective stress due to the foundation loads is 20% of
the effective overburden pressure (𝜎𝑣′ = 0.2𝑞). For many cases, this depth may also be roughly
estimated as 1-2 times the foundation width, but may be reduced for lightly loaded, wider
foundation rafts.

Annex H, EN 1997-1, gives definitions of the relevant quantities for checking the SLS of spread
foundations; settlement, relative settlement & angular distortion are the most important (Fig. 4).

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Fig. 04: Definition of foundation movement; settlement - s; differential settlement – δs; rotation – θ;
angular strain - α; relative deflection – Δ, tilt – ω and relative rotation (angular distortion) - β
A maximum relative rotation of 1/500 is acceptable for many structures. The relative rotation likely
to cause an ULS is about 1/150.
For normal structures with isolated foundations, total settlements up to 50 mm are often acceptable.
Larger settlements may be acceptable provided the relative rotations remain within acceptable
limits.

Table 4: Partial factors for DA1 (from NA to BS EN 1990:2002 & NA to BS EN 1997-1:2004)

Geotechnical Parameter Symbol Combination 1 Combination 2
2
Unfavourable 1.35 1.0
Partial factors1 on Permanent 3 γG
Favourable 1.0 1.0
actions (γF) or effect A1 A2
Unfavourable 1.5 1.3
of actions (γE) Variable γQ
Favourable 0 0
Angle of shearing resistance4 γφ' 1.0 1.25
Effective cohesion γc' 1.0 1.25
Partial factors on
Undrained shear strength γcu M1 1.0 M2 1.4
soil parameters (γM)
Unconfined strength γqu 1.0 1.4
Weight density γγ 1.0 1.0
Partial resistance Bearing γRv 1.0 1.0
factors (γR) for R1 R1
Sliding γRh 1.0 1.0
spread foundations

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 Fig. 05: Correction factor for Standard Fig. 06: Relationship between SPT and
Penetration test angle of shearing resistance

Fig. 07: Elastic settlement calculation by using strain influence factor

For L/B =1 For L/B ≥ 𝟏𝟎

Iz = 0.1 at z =0 Iz = 0.2 at z =0
Iz = 0.5 at z = z1 = 0.5B Iz = 0.5 at z = z1 = B
Iz = 0 at z = z2 = 2B Iz = 0 at z = z2 = 4B
Where B = width of the foundation and L = length of the foundation

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 Fig. 08: Fox’s correction curves for elastic
settlement of flexible rectangular foundations
at depth

Fig.09: Factors for calculating the average immediate settlement of a loaded area.

Fig. 10: Types of pressure distribution. Arrow indicates direction of drainage.

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Fig. 11: Relationship between time factor and average degree of consolidation for a uniform
distribution and a triangular distribution of initial excess pore water pressure.

Figure 12: Variation of I with m and n [m = B/z & n = L/z]

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